What a half term we have had!

Although it’s only been six weeks, the achievements and energy of our teams have been unstoppable. I am so pleased to see our squads demonstrating passion, resilience, and fantastic teamwork – whether in training sessions, friendly matches, or larger tournaments. The Sydenham spirit has truly shone through, both within and across our school community. Here are some of the season’s highlights:

Netball
It has been a fantastic start to the Netball season. The U16s launched their cup campaign with great success, winning all five of their afternoon matches at the Kent Regional Tournament. Among the squad are MAT and HPP students, Iris and India, who have been selected to represent Kent at U15 level – an outstanding achievement.
The U16A and B teams also impressed with an undefeated fixture against St Dunstan’s College, while the U14s continue to strengthen as a squad, building excellent cohesion on court after a strong performance at their Trust Rally.

At the younger end, the U13A–D teams shone in their fixtures against Bromley, winning three out of four matches and showing real depth across the year group. The U12s have trained with great enthusiasm, and though their festival was postponed due to weather, it has been rescheduled for next half term – along with plenty more exciting fixtures ahead.

Football
The football season kicked off with Sydenham High hosting the U12 GDST Rally at Worsley Bridge. Over 50 pupils took part in skill sessions on dribbling, passing, and shooting before competing in a friendly tournament that emphasised teamwork and match experience.

The U15s are progressing through the Kent County Cup, reaching the third round after two strong performances, with standout contributions from Scholar Amelia H (striker), Ella M (defence), and Anna G (goalkeeper).
At the October Rally, the U16 team went unbeaten through the day to reach the quarter-finals, with memorable moments from Amelia H, who scored a hat-trick; Nielle S, who stepped up in goal; and Farah R, whose tireless energy in midfield created many scoring opportunities.

Hockey
The U16 hockey squad has shown steady progress, from their early fixture against Croydon to strong performances at the London Schools Tournament. Morgan F and Sasha H stood out for their composure and control, with Morgan recently selected to represent Kent – a superb milestone in her development.

The U14s opened their season with a victory over St Dunstan’s College, featuring a winning goal from Isla P, a clean sheet from Elsa, and attacking play from Matilda C. The U13s impressed at the October Rally, reaching the Plate Final with grit and determination – an achievement they can all be proud of. Meanwhile, the U12s have enjoyed an exciting start, with over 20 pupils attending regular training sessions and a joyful festival fixture with St Dunstan’s.

Cross Country
Both Cross Country teams performed brilliantly in the first round of the English Schools competition, placing third overall. In the Junior team, Charlotte placed 2nd and Ava 9th; while in the Inters, Elliot finished 4th and Matilda 6th. Their combined results have earned the Juniors a place in the Regional Finals, to be held at Dulwich College in November – a fantastic accomplishment.

Rowing
We have had a successful start to the Rowing season with our first race at Bedford in which Morgan F and Emily S produced a magnificent performance to win the Pairs Competition. Coming up straight after half-term are Kingston Head and Dockland’s Head which will be thrilling competitions as well as The Fours Head at Putney in November. Our new Year 9 cohort have thrown themselves into the sport and the rowing spirit remains at an all time high. All our teams have been busy training and we look forward to updating you with more news and photos soon. 

MAT, HPP and Scholars
This term saw the relaunch of our MAT, HPP and Scholars programmes, bringing together pupils to share ideas and collaborate across sports. The first session was full of energy and inspiration, with exciting plans for the year ahead, including our upcoming Careers in Sport evening in January. The event will feature guest speakers such as the Team GB Nutritionist for British Cycling at the recent Paris Olympics.

A special mention goes to Maiya in Year 11, who placed 8th in the U17 National Fencing Championships – an exceptional achievement reflecting her dedication and hard work.

Curriculum Highlights
Our core PE curriculum has continued to expand and diversify. In KS3, we welcomed Abigail from Girls United Football Club, whose expertise has inspired greater participation and enthusiasm among pupils. In KS4, partnerships with Forest Hill Pools have given Years 10 and 11 valuable experience in gym-based fitness and confidence using professional facilities.

Meanwhile, other groups have taken advantage of Crystal Palace Park for Couch to 5K and wellbeing sessions – a brilliant way to explore fitness in the outdoors. It’s been wonderful to see so many pupils embracing active, healthy lifestyles this half term.

Looking Ahead
As we move into the next half term, we are excited to build on these successes. Our new netball court at the sports ground will be ready for use, providing even more opportunities for fixtures, festivals, and skill development both on and off the pitch. We look forward to seeing our pupils grow in confidence, resilience, and teamwork. The energy, determination, and Sydenham spirit displayed this term set us up perfectly for an even stronger second half of the year.

Sydenham High Sports Department